I haven't had a bad meal or bad service once in the many times that I've dined here. The servers are friendly and helpful. Nice selection of wines and a short, but delicious dessert menu.

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TopShefJan 29.

I have eaten at the restaurant a few times now and have not been overly impressed with the food; however, my last experience was enough to keep me from ever setting foot in the restaurant again. I went to the restaurant with a friend of

3

TopShef
January 29, 20086Rose Pistola

Horrible Service - Very Unprofessional

★★★★★

I have eaten at the restaurant a few times now and have not been overly impressed with the food; however, my last experience was enough to keep me from ever setting foot in the restaurant again. I went to the restaurant with a friend of

What a great place to eat! I was there on a Saturday night and really enjoyed the Jazz. I happen to be a Spumante fiend and truly enjoyed the Ca? del Bosco ?Brut? Franciacorta, Lombardia.\r
\r
We started with the Iron Roasted Skillet

3

catholicoldman
August 25, 20076Rose Pistola

Rose Pistola -- A North Beach Must...

★★★★★

What a great place to eat! I was there on a Saturday night and really enjoyed the Jazz. I happen to be a Spumante fiend and truly enjoyed the Ca? del Bosco ?Brut? Franciacorta, Lombardia.\r
\r
We started with the Iron Roasted Skillet

This is only my second review online. In my last review I stated that Terzo was one of the best eating experiences in my 80 years in SF. Well, Mike over at Terzo recommended that I visit his wife here at Rose Pistola. Sorry Mike, I think I

3

calladaddy
May 20, 20076Rose Pistola

Rose Pistola a Great Dining Experience!

★★★★★

This is only my second review online. In my last review I stated that Terzo was one of the best eating experiences in my 80 years in SF. Well, Mike over at Terzo recommended that I visit his wife here at Rose Pistola. Sorry Mike, I think I

Love,love,love it.\r
I'v eaten there many times and The food is always great (super fresh & authentic) the servers are always friendly and knowledgeable. I would recomend it to anyone that likes "real food' or would like to try real

3

ishafoodlover
May 02, 20076Rose Pistola

Love, love, love it

★★★★★

Love,love,love it.\r
I'v eaten there many times and The food is always great (super fresh & authentic) the servers are always friendly and knowledgeable. I would recomend it to anyone that likes "real food' or would like to try real

My wife and I chose a late dinner to hopefully enjoy the live music while we dined. But the noise level in the building was so high, it was impossible to hear the band. Besides that, the service was poor, especially the bartender who

3

randykaiser
April 30, 20076Rose Pistola

Extremely disappointed

★★★★★

My wife and I chose a late dinner to hopefully enjoy the live music while we dined. But the noise level in the building was so high, it was impossible to hear the band. Besides that, the service was poor, especially the bartender who

I had been to Rose Pistola's a few times in the past & thought that it was very good. Last night I took my fifteen year old son to the restaurant expecting it to be the same as it was in the past. Let me tell you that it was not! 1st, I

3

italian_baker
April 13, 20076Rose Pistola

Disappointing

★★★★★

I had been to Rose Pistola's a few times in the past & thought that it was very good. Last night I took my fifteen year old son to the restaurant expecting it to be the same as it was in the past. Let me tell you that it was not! 1st, I

Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable on the wine list. He suggested a fantastic Barolo for under $100.\r
If we had been thin skinned, our meal might have been ruined by the 10 people ranging from ages 8-108 sitting behind

3

tallandcreepy
March 27, 20076Rose Pistola

Fantastic service, great food, huge wine list!

★★★★★

Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable on the wine list. He suggested a fantastic Barolo for under $100.\r
If we had been thin skinned, our meal might have been ruined by the 10 people ranging from ages 8-108 sitting behind

We came here after work for some wine and a light dinner and found just that. Although our watiress was not knowledgable at all on the wine list which was somewhat annoying because the list is quite extensive. We had a few appetizers, all

3

audreyjl
February 16, 20076Rose Pistola

ok

★★★★★

We came here after work for some wine and a light dinner and found just that. Although our watiress was not knowledgable at all on the wine list which was somewhat annoying because the list is quite extensive. We had a few appetizers, all

Made an early reservation in mid January for a party of 4, including my almost two year old son. Although we arrived before the kitchen opened, we were graciously invited to wait at the well stocked, comfortable bar. The bar staff was

3

stentorian
January 18, 20076Rose Pistola

Kid Friendly

★★★★★

Made an early reservation in mid January for a party of 4, including my almost two year old son. Although we arrived before the kitchen opened, we were graciously invited to wait at the well stocked, comfortable bar. The bar staff was

I like the fact that you can order food here late, though it will be a limited menu. Good- not great- Italian. You don't get good house cured sardines everywhere, and the very-thin-crust pizza is very very good. The octopus is shockingly

3

dewalker
December 30, 20066Rose Pistola

Reliable fallback

★★★★★

I like the fact that you can order food here late, though it will be a limited menu. Good- not great- Italian. You don't get good house cured sardines everywhere, and the very-thin-crust pizza is very very good. The octopus is shockingly

I have been to Rose Pistola twice - once in November, 2001, and once in October, 2006. The first visit was lovely; the second - not so much. The restaurant was barely half full, so service wasn't an issue. Our server was very nice. My

3

kathypsf
November 27, 20066Rose Pistola

Overpriced and mediocre food

★★★★★

I have been to Rose Pistola twice - once in November, 2001, and once in October, 2006. The first visit was lovely; the second - not so much. The restaurant was barely half full, so service wasn't an issue. Our server was very nice. My

I went to this place twice, didn't intend to go the 2nd time, but couldn't say no. Both times I was very dissapointed with the quality of the food. Service was ok and ambiance was great, but as far as food goes, it's the worst you can get

3

elpibe
November 15, 20066Rose Pistola

Worst experience in sf

★★★★★

I went to this place twice, didn't intend to go the 2nd time, but couldn't say no. Both times I was very dissapointed with the quality of the food. Service was ok and ambiance was great, but as far as food goes, it's the worst you can get

I am blown away by the negative reviews for the Rose Pistola.\r
I have been dining there since the beginning. The menu changes daily, and the selections are a gastronomical delight. Sure the staff changes almost as much as the menu, but

3

basil_rathbone
October 29, 20066Rose Pistola

WoW!

★★★★★

I am blown away by the negative reviews for the Rose Pistola.\r
I have been dining there since the beginning. The menu changes daily, and the selections are a gastronomical delight. Sure the staff changes almost as much as the menu, but

What a disappointment! I am new to the SF area and went here on a recommendation from my "relocation expert." The service was terrible and stuck-up, the food was mediocre at best and the prices were too high for the quality of food

3

aew124
September 25, 20066Rose Pistola

Overrated, overcrowded and overpriced!

★★★★★

What a disappointment! I am new to the SF area and went here on a recommendation from my "relocation expert." The service was terrible and stuck-up, the food was mediocre at best and the prices were too high for the quality of food

From soup to nuts, this place is horrible. Having experienced hundreds of restaurants in SF over the years, it's amazing how something like this can survive. Starting with an impossible system to make a reservation, a waste of time. A

3

tpcallah
September 17, 20066Rose Pistola

I can't believe this place can survive in SF

★★★★★

From soup to nuts, this place is horrible. Having experienced hundreds of restaurants in SF over the years, it's amazing how something like this can survive. Starting with an impossible system to make a reservation, a waste of time. A

Rose Pistola is one of my all-time favorites. I've been there on dates, business lunches, dinners with friends and out-of-town guests and I ALWAYS walk away feeling glad that I came. \r
The setting is lively, service is great, the staff

3

christina_jackson
September 09, 20066Rose Pistola

Love it!

★★★★★

Rose Pistola is one of my all-time favorites. I've been there on dates, business lunches, dinners with friends and out-of-town guests and I ALWAYS walk away feeling glad that I came. \r
The setting is lively, service is great, the staff

Rose Pistola is one of my favorite restaurants in the city with that classic San Francisco feel. It's right in the heart of North Beach, just around the corner form Washington Square Park. The interior is warm and inviting. It's got a

3

johngarner777
August 29, 20066Rose Pistola

Lovely and Delicious

★★★★★

Rose Pistola is one of my favorite restaurants in the city with that classic San Francisco feel. It's right in the heart of North Beach, just around the corner form Washington Square Park. The interior is warm and inviting. It's got a

Over the past few years we've been here several times and have never been even slightly disappointed by the service, the extensive wine list or the wonderful northern Italian cuisine. The atmosphere is warm & inviting; all of the staff

3

vkfin
August 28, 20066Rose Pistola

Always fun & fabulous

★★★★★

Over the past few years we've been here several times and have never been even slightly disappointed by the service, the extensive wine list or the wonderful northern Italian cuisine. The atmosphere is warm & inviting; all of the staff

My favorite thing about this place (besides the requisite yummy yummy food) is how nice everyone who works there is. I have lived here for 13 years and I never get tired of it. The valets have a sparkle in their eye, the bartender

3

kellip_sf
August 28, 20066Rose Pistola

great service! great food!

★★★★★

My favorite thing about this place (besides the requisite yummy yummy food) is how nice everyone who works there is. I have lived here for 13 years and I never get tired of it. The valets have a sparkle in their eye, the bartender

I have been to Rose Pistola many many times and the experience I have received has been absolutely unparalleled in every regard. Everyone there is welcoming and helpful. I greatly appreciate that the servers are so knowledgeable about

3

sylviehendricks
August 27, 20066Rose Pistola

Lovely atmosphere, exceptional service, delicious!

★★★★★

I have been to Rose Pistola many many times and the experience I have received has been absolutely unparalleled in every regard. Everyone there is welcoming and helpful. I greatly appreciate that the servers are so knowledgeable about

Pros: Food, Ambiance, Service

Cons: Make sure to use the valet! Parking is quite difficult in North Beach.

The nicest person at Rose Pistola was the valet attendant. The hostess, can you say pretentious? And for what, the tuna tartar was unseasoned, as was the beef carpaccio. After our first cocktail, we were never offered another. A rude

3

fabfoodie
August 09, 20066Rose Pistola

Um, check please

★★★★★

The nicest person at Rose Pistola was the valet attendant. The hostess, can you say pretentious? And for what, the tuna tartar was unseasoned, as was the beef carpaccio. After our first cocktail, we were never offered another. A rude

This is the best authentic Italian food in North Beach. The atmosphere is lively, the food is driven by the pure flavors of fresh herbs & olive oil and the wine list is playful & unique. The service can waver, but overall this is fun and

3

lakeviewcentral
August 08, 20066Rose Pistola

Best Italian

★★★★★

This is the best authentic Italian food in North Beach. The atmosphere is lively, the food is driven by the pure flavors of fresh herbs & olive oil and the wine list is playful & unique. The service can waver, but overall this is fun and

I have lived in San Francisco and Marin for over 30 years; recently took an out-of-town couple of close friend to Rose Pistola, thinking it would match up to a meal I'd had there a few years ago (which had been really memorable). Wrong.

3

jbmapc
August 08, 20066Rose Pistola

Poor place to take your friends.

★★★★★

I have lived in San Francisco and Marin for over 30 years; recently took an out-of-town couple of close friend to Rose Pistola, thinking it would match up to a meal I'd had there a few years ago (which had been really memorable). Wrong.

Always an excellent visit, now we've been let down. Couldn't believe the prior reviews commenting on the bad attitude at the front of the house. It happened to us. While we waited, well past our reservation, five tables without

3

gnhoratio
May 22, 20066Rose Pistola

boy, what a let down

★★★★★

Always an excellent visit, now we've been let down. Couldn't believe the prior reviews commenting on the bad attitude at the front of the house. It happened to us. While we waited, well past our reservation, five tables without

Forget the fact that they messed up our reservation... What was supposed to be our great last night out while visiting San Fran was ruined by the rude and unaccomodating hostess, waitress whose lack of attention made Wendy's look like

3

bhensler
May 10, 20066Rose Pistola

Vacation... ruined by this "restaurant"

★★★★★

Forget the fact that they messed up our reservation... What was supposed to be our great last night out while visiting San Fran was ruined by the rude and unaccomodating hostess, waitress whose lack of attention made Wendy's look like

I could not believe how bad this place was. With such large crowds I'd expect some decent cuisine. Took forever to be seated. I ordered pizza. Paid almost $20 for basically a piece of cardboard with Contadina tomato sauce and a few

3

elizready
April 14, 20066Rose Pistola

Typical Northbeach-Bad Italian

★★★★★

I could not believe how bad this place was. With such large crowds I'd expect some decent cuisine. Took forever to be seated. I ordered pizza. Paid almost $20 for basically a piece of cardboard with Contadina tomato sauce and a few

Wow. I have lived in NYC, Boston, and now reside in North Beach, and I have never experienced such pretentious and inexperienced service in my life. After showing up for our reservation right on time, the hostess smugly reported that we

3

brobs4
October 21, 20056Rose Pistola

Food is great once you get through the hostess

★★★★★

Wow. I have lived in NYC, Boston, and now reside in North Beach, and I have never experienced such pretentious and inexperienced service in my life. After showing up for our reservation right on time, the hostess smugly reported that we

Their food is fantastic, their service is friendly & on point, and the enery is great. This isn't your typical North Beach, Southern Italian, spaghetti & meatballs restaurant. This is a place to go and experience an entirely different

3

kglancy
June 28, 20056Rose Pistola

Go for the experience!

★★★★★

Their food is fantastic, their service is friendly & on point, and the enery is great. This isn't your typical North Beach, Southern Italian, spaghetti & meatballs restaurant. This is a place to go and experience an entirely different

This is one of my favorite resauranst in North Beach which has plenty of restaurants but limited on the good side of that equation in my expereince. I am a big fan of there small antipasta and grill items. We just had grilled octopus with fresh fennel salad. I know it sounds weird, but was very tasty and original. Unlike so many prentenders who try to be original and just make weird food, this is a delight. And it doesn't have to super costly if you order a number of aps or antipasta dishes and salads. I've always had a very nice meal lunch or dinner. Ask for a table near the back windows that look out on the "other street.

PROS: Food, Food & more Food
CONS: Can be too noisy if the hip croud is there

This is one of my favorite resauranst in North Beach which has plenty of restaurants but limited on the good side of that equation in my expereince. I am a big fan of there small antipasta and grill items. We just had grilled octopus with fresh fennel salad. I know it sounds weird, but was very tasty and original. Unlike so many prentenders who try to be original and just make weird food, this is a delight. And it doesn't have to super costly if you order a number of aps or antipasta dishes and salads. I've always had a very nice meal lunch or dinner. Ask for a table near the back windows that look out on the "other street.

PROS: Food, Food & more Food
CONS: Can be too noisy if the hip croud is there

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dommi99May 18.

Choices for wine by the bottle are endless, rices range from $22.00 to $500.00. They often have very rare wines brought in by the Italian winemakers themselves, and also feature wines that you can only get in magnums by the glass! How cool

3

dommi99
May 18, 20056Rose Pistola

Amazing wine list! Fantastic service!

★★★★★

Choices for wine by the bottle are endless, rices range from $22.00 to $500.00. They often have very rare wines brought in by the Italian winemakers themselves, and also feature wines that you can only get in magnums by the glass! How cool

Some of the best food outside of Italy! Servers really know their product well and are on top of things without being intrusive. Highly recomended for anyone who wants to try harder to find Italian wines with the cusine it was meant to

3

foodie_n_wino
May 16, 20056Rose Pistola

Easily the best Italian in SF, 5 star winelist

★★★★★

Some of the best food outside of Italy! Servers really know their product well and are on top of things without being intrusive. Highly recomended for anyone who wants to try harder to find Italian wines with the cusine it was meant to

There are far better choices in San Francisco if you want to spend $30-40 for an entree. While the food is pretty decent (for North Beach), the crowded, touristy atmosphere and the exorbitant prices ensure that I won't return!

3

goldengategirl
April 04, 20056Rose Pistola

Overpriced

★★★★★

There are far better choices in San Francisco if you want to spend $30-40 for an entree. While the food is pretty decent (for North Beach), the crowded, touristy atmosphere and the exorbitant prices ensure that I won't return!

I continue to be surprised at the repeated amateurishness of the service.
Upon ordering a second, and different glass of red wine to try with my entree (I'd already had one with antipasti) the young lady poured the new wine into my old

3

tuesdaylu
March 19, 20056Rose Pistola

Servers need experience

★★★★★

I continue to be surprised at the repeated amateurishness of the service.
Upon ordering a second, and different glass of red wine to try with my entree (I'd already had one with antipasti) the young lady poured the new wine into my old

I took my 80-year-old mother and even with reservations we had to wait over an hour among a SCREAMING crowd. Never once did the Maitre d' or waitstaff offer her a chair. When we were finally seated, I immediately ordered an appetizer to

3

tomclark
July 27, 20046Rose Pistola

Worst SF Dining Experience

★★★★★

I took my 80-year-old mother and even with reservations we had to wait over an hour among a SCREAMING crowd. Never once did the Maitre d' or waitstaff offer her a chair. When we were finally seated, I immediately ordered an appetizer to

Great restaurant. Large list of cold/hot antipast, as well as numerous mini pizzas, which are cooked in a wood oven and were some of the crispiest i've ever tasted. Lively scene too. If you want Italian in S.F., this is the place to go.

3

rcf26
June 25, 20046Rose Pistola

Great Italian!!!

★★★★★

Great restaurant. Large list of cold/hot antipast, as well as numerous mini pizzas, which are cooked in a wood oven and were some of the crispiest i've ever tasted. Lively scene too. If you want Italian in S.F., this is the place to go.

I really can't fathom the negative reviews this place has gotten. I've eaten here perhaps 10 times and never been disappointed. The food is terrific and the service & ambiance are great. The only thing I can imagine is that since the

3

richsanfilippo
May 31, 20046Rose Pistola

Wonderful Place

★★★★★

I really can't fathom the negative reviews this place has gotten. I've eaten here perhaps 10 times and never been disappointed. The food is terrific and the service & ambiance are great. The only thing I can imagine is that since the

wholly pleased with our experience. reservations through opentable were perfectly on time. great, well-priced wine list (starting under $30), excellent and helpful waitstaff. Not to mention the food! My recommendations include the

3

emklaesius
March 22, 20046Rose Pistola

Fantastic

★★★★★

wholly pleased with our experience. reservations through opentable were perfectly on time. great, well-priced wine list (starting under $30), excellent and helpful waitstaff. Not to mention the food! My recommendations include the

Took 30 minutes to seat a party of 2 (after they said 5 minuteS), with tables open. After being seated 3 feet from the BAND the waitress had the nerve to ask us if we "told the hostest we were only there for coffee and dessert". 1 hour

3

antarius
January 30, 20046Rose Pistola

Absolutely terrible

★★★★★

Took 30 minutes to seat a party of 2 (after they said 5 minuteS), with tables open. After being seated 3 feet from the BAND the waitress had the nerve to ask us if we "told the hostest we were only there for coffee and dessert". 1 hour

Food was delicious, Service & Ambience is bar-none Fantastic. I recommend the "under-a-Brick" Chicken with the Angel Hair Pasta for Children there isn't much else on the menu for the little ones. In fact we all digged into their plates LOL

3

psboston7
January 19, 20046Rose Pistola

Taste & Presentation Spectacular

★★★★★

Food was delicious, Service & Ambience is bar-none Fantastic. I recommend the "under-a-Brick" Chicken with the Angel Hair Pasta for Children there isn't much else on the menu for the little ones. In fact we all digged into their plates LOL

Has-been, weak sauce scene...attitude from 1999...lame hostess...two hours at their empty bar and they tried to seat us at a crappy table in their empty restaurant...loser establishment for loser "99-ers"....btw, we live and work in North

3

bobfitz3
December 11, 20036Rose Pistola

Loser!

★★★★★

Has-been, weak sauce scene...attitude from 1999...lame hostess...two hours at their empty bar and they tried to seat us at a crappy table in their empty restaurant...loser establishment for loser "99-ers"....btw, we live and work in North

Horrible, horrible, horrible. We were all VERY disappointed and the way they have their menu is such a rip off and an insult to your intelligence. You have to order side dishes seperately and they are not cheap. Somebody close by our

3

leaverk
September 09, 20036Rose Pistola

Don't bother

★★★★★

Horrible, horrible, horrible. We were all VERY disappointed and the way they have their menu is such a rip off and an insult to your intelligence. You have to order side dishes seperately and they are not cheap. Somebody close by our

Had heard great things about this place, and left completely disappointed. Portions were tremendously small for the price and the Wine list was way overpriced. Service was fine, but I expect more at that price-point. Wouldn't bother

3

boydmj
July 22, 20036Rose Pistola

Totally overpriced

★★★★★

Had heard great things about this place, and left completely disappointed. Portions were tremendously small for the price and the Wine list was way overpriced. Service was fine, but I expect more at that price-point. Wouldn't bother

I went to the Rose Pistola for lunch. I have heard so much about this restaurant for so long. On our last trip in October we tried to get in, and they didnt have a table. This time for lunch the place was pretty empty. The service was

3

ahiatus
June 18, 20036Rose Pistola

Tourist Trap

★★★★★

I went to the Rose Pistola for lunch. I have heard so much about this restaurant for so long. On our last trip in October we tried to get in, and they didnt have a table. This time for lunch the place was pretty empty. The service was

Don't bother with The Rose Pistola - Totally Overrated - especially if you're seated outside. Service was lousy - had to ask several times for water, coffee refills, salt/pepper, bread, - you know - the basics. The restaurant treats

3

junglejimmy
June 07, 20036Rose Pistola

Lousy Service - Overpriced Food

★★★★★

Don't bother with The Rose Pistola - Totally Overrated - especially if you're seated outside. Service was lousy - had to ask several times for water, coffee refills, salt/pepper, bread, - you know - the basics. The restaurant treats

May 14, 2003--The highly-touted "terrorized" NY steak was tough, overcooked, and loaded with fat and gristle. Not acceptable for a $29 dish, and a la carte at that. We would have told someone that if anyone bothered to come by to see if

3

thecritic
May 15, 20036Rose Pistola

Disappointing all around

★★★★★

May 14, 2003--The highly-touted "terrorized" NY steak was tough, overcooked, and loaded with fat and gristle. Not acceptable for a $29 dish, and a la carte at that. We would have told someone that if anyone bothered to come by to see if

I had the strip steak and really regret it (very fatty). Has a tremendous menu (changes daily). Be weary if you don't like REAL and AUTHENTIC Northern Italian food! (rabbit, quail, etc.). Great Wine list. Nibbled on other plates...seafood

3

cflann01
May 07, 20036Rose Pistola

pricey but good

★★★★★

I had the strip steak and really regret it (very fatty). Has a tremendous menu (changes daily). Be weary if you don't like REAL and AUTHENTIC Northern Italian food! (rabbit, quail, etc.). Great Wine list. Nibbled on other plates...seafood

Good Italian wine list. Some waiters good; some average. Octopus salad a plus. The sardines were not very good. The steak was average; very fatty cut and not the finest steak on the market, despite its price. The pizzas are no where near

3

tertiarydog
March 31, 20036Rose Pistola

Average

★★★★★

Good Italian wine list. Some waiters good; some average. Octopus salad a plus. The sardines were not very good. The steak was average; very fatty cut and not the finest steak on the market, despite its price. The pizzas are no where near

Editorial from

A warm design and hearty North Beach spirit mark this upscale neighborhood institution, where longtime regulars may remember the brassy local barkeep for whom the venue was named. Though classic, the atmosphere is hardly old-fashioned:…

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